From first scentto harvest day.
Private truffle dog training, professional farm hunting and engaging event support—grounded in real field experience across Victoria and NSW.
- Canine Truffle Program
- Professional farm hunting
- Truffle hunting event support
Practical knowledge at both ends of the lead
Developing confident working dogs while helping handlers recognise, support and trust the search.
Field experience behind every service
8+ years
Field experience
Practical work in private and commercial truffieres.
30+ farms
Per season
Supporting truffieres across Victoria and NSW.
250kg+
Season harvests
Truffles found through professional hunting and harvest work.
10+ dogs
Now working
Developed through the program into professional truffle dogs.
How we can help
Start with what you need today.
Whether you are developing a dog, preparing for harvest or planning an event, choose the pathway that best matches the job in front of you.
For dog and handler teams
Canine Truffle Program
Private, personalised tuition that develops the dog, the handler and the communication between them—from first scent pairing to advanced farm searching.
- Beginner, intermediate and advanced pathways
- Personalised tasks and video feedback
- Training designed for real truffiere conditions
For truffiere owners
Professional Truffle Hunting
Experienced hunting support with advanced truffle dogs to help locate harvest-ready truffles and provide an additional layer of quality assurance on farm.
- Practical seasonal farm support
- Experienced dogs working in real conditions
- Support for farms with or without an on-site dog
For farms and event organisers
Truffle Hunting Events
Reliable event support with a crowd-comfortable truffle dog, creating an engaging experience while demonstrating genuine working behaviour.
- Engaging demonstrations for guests
- A dog comfortable working around crowds
- Practical support for truffle-focused events
Simone Thomas
Truffle dog trainer, professional hunter and industry educator
Meet the Truffle Dog Lady™
Understanding the dog is only part of the job.
Simone Thomas, the Truffle Dog Lady™, brings together canine behaviour, odour, soil, weather, handler decisions and the realities of the farm rather than treating scent exercises in isolation.
Real truffiere experience
Eight-plus years working across private and commercial farms means the training is grounded in the demands of actual harvest conditions.
Canine education
Formal study in dog psychology, behaviour, training, emotion and cognition supports an approach centred on how dogs learn and communicate.
Industry contribution
Conference, state meeting, workshop and expert-panel contributions help connect practical dog work with the wider Australian truffle industry.
Working outcomes
More than ten dogs developed through the Canine Truffle Program are now working as professional truffle dogs.
Canine Truffle Program
Build a capable working partnership.
The goal is not simply a dog that knows an odour. It is a human-and-dog team that can search independently, communicate clearly and make confident decisions in real conditions.
Foundation
Scent foundations and communication
Develop odour recognition, independent search drive and a clearer understanding of the body language your dog uses while working scent.
Development
Focused, farm-ready searching
Build the handler leadership, search stamina and indication accuracy needed to move from controlled exercises toward a truffiere.
Advanced
Confidence in complex conditions
Strengthen focus and precision around weather, soil, distractions, residual odour and the difficult scent problems found during real farm work.
The Canine Truffle Program
Learn to see what your dog smells.
Your dog becomes an extension of you. The program develops the dog's search skills and your ability to read, guide and support the work as one capable truffle hunting team.
- 50+ pages of course material from beginner to advanced
- Theory and practical handling for real farm conditions
- Weekly task customisation throughout the four-week course
- Video timestamping to help you understand canine body language
- Continued support as you progress through the pathway
- 01
Build the scent foundation
Understand canine olfaction, pair truffle odour correctly and begin recognising the body language your dog uses while searching.
- 02
Develop an independent search
Build drive, confidence and a clear indication while improving your timing, communication and handling decisions.
- 03
Prepare for farm conditions
Progress focus, accuracy and teamwork toward the distractions and practical demands of searching a working truffiere.
Client experiences
What people say after working together.
Feedback from training, farm and truffle-related sessions.
“"Training my truffle dog, Boogie, with Simone Thomas has been a game-changer. Simone breaks down the process into clear, manageable steps and explains not just what to do, but why it works — even going into canine anatomy and behaviour so you truly understand your dog’s instincts. One of the biggest surprises was how much of the training actually focused on me — my timing, my body language, my ability to read Boogie’s signals. Simone made it clear that a successful truffle team starts with an informed, attentive handler. She’s always available in the background for advice, and genuinely invested in our journey. Watching her work with her own dog shows exactly what excellence looks like — calm, connected, and precise. If you want real results and a deeper bond with your dog, Simone is the truffle dog trainer you’re looking for." - Michelle - Scotch Hill Farm (Gippsland, Victoria)”
Truffle Dog Training: Intermediate January 2024 - March 2024
“"Simone and her wonderful dogs have been performing our truffle hunt for 2 seasons, and we are delighted with the results. They are friendly, efficient and effective, the truffles are found and off to the market without fuss. It’s a great pleasure to have them in our lives and we are looking forward to seeing them in our grove next season." -Tony - Tyers”
Truffle Hunting: 2024 onwards
“Simone and Zara brought their expertise and knowledge to our young truffiere and we had an excellent experience. Throughout the search Simone shared her knowledge and patiently answered all our questions. Despite the awful weather, even on a rainy, windy July afternoon we learnt so much. Thank you both for your enthusiasm and skills! -Kirk and Catherine - Flinders”
Truffle Hunting: 2026 Season July
From the field
Truffle dog insights, updates and practical guidance.
Explore recent articles on canine scent work, truffle training and lessons gathered from real farm conditions.
Field notesMay 2026 Season Summary
Summary of the month of May 2026: 1. How did the weather affected May? 2. How many hunts did we do? 3. How much we harvested? 4. What was the biggest problems in late May?
Read article
Field notesTraits to look for in a truffle dog
If you are looking for a truffle dog watch this video to learn what to look for in their personalities.
Read article
Field notesDougie's First Week during his Truffle Dog Training journey.
This is the next installment of Dougie’s truffle dog training Journey where he starts week 1 which involves 3 tasks: 1. Teaching “Show” 2. Increasing focus with distractions 3. Working on marking accuracy.
Read article
Not sure where to begin?
Tell us what you are working toward.
Share whether you need training, farm hunting or event support, along with your location and timing. We can point you toward the most relevant next step.